Method of cutting or flamemachining metal



June 25, 1940. w. B. NICHOLSON ET AL 2,205,390

'ETHOD 0F CUTTING OR FLAME-MACHINING METAL Original Filed June 11, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Iflfff/IIII IA INVENTORS WILLIAM BRYCE NICHOLSON EVERETT R JONES A TTORNEY Julie 1940. w. B. NICHOLSON ET AL 2,205,890

IETHOD 0F CUTTING OR FLAME-MACHINING METAL Original Filed June 11. 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 Q ,L 3 s ll: l v Q h.

Q w m k k 9 WW Q No Q INVENTORS WILLIAM'BRYCE NICHOLSON EVERETT F? ONES ATTORNEY June 25,1940. w. B. NICHOLSON -r AL 2,205,890

NETHOD 0F CUTTING OR FLAME-MACHINING IETAL Original Filed June 11, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 EOE I -INVENTOR$ WILLIAM BRYCE NICHOLSON EVERETT P. ONES ATTORNEY Patented June 25, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF CUTTING R FLAME- MACHINING METAL William Bryce Nicholson and Everett P. Jones, Elizabeth, N. J., asslgnors to The Linda Air Products Company, a corporation of Ohio Application June 11, 1937, Serial No. 147,698 Renewed November 18, 1939 '10 Claims.

is to begin, and directing a jet of oxidizing gas,

onto the work at the point of preheating. After the cutting. deseaming, or flame-machining operation has begun, the pro-heat may be lessened owing to the pro-heat effect of the slag or oxidlzed metal that precedes, or .is blown ahead of the nozzle as it is advanced over the work.

These present known methods require considerable time to initially pre-heat the metal work to an ignition temperature, and it has been customary to increase the delivery of pro-heating gas in order to reduce the pro-heat starting time, e. g., by providing the blowpipe with relatively large pro-heat orifices of much greater diameter than is necessary for continuing the operation after it has begun. Since the velocity of the preheat gas must be maintained above a certain limit in order to maintain flame stability and to prevent back-flringof the blowpipe, the large pro-heat orifices deliver a pro-heating gas of such volume that it impairs the efficiency of metal removal and greatly increases operating costs. Any attempt to decrease the volume of preheating gas after the metal removal operation has begun reduces the gas velocity and causes the pre-heat flame to become unstable and backflring occurs.

When it is desired to remove surface metal within the boundaries of cold metal work, it becomes exceedingly diflicult to sufficiently preheat the point where the metal removal operation is to begin. Problems of this latter nature arise in many instances, particularly in steel mills where it is desirable to employ a deseaming operation to remove cracks, fissures, and other imperfections within the surface boundaries of cold billets and other bodies consisting of oxidizable metal such as steel.

An object of this invention is to provide the most efllcient and economical normal pre-heat capable of continuing a cutting, deseaming, or flame-machining operation after it has been started, and to augment the intensity of such normal pre-heat to effect the starting of such an operation within a relatively short time interval.

.1 Another object of this invention is to substantially instantaneously raise a portion of cold metal work to an ignition temperature by depositing a globule of molten metal thereon and directing a jet of oxidizing gas onto said globule.

Other objects of the invention include, the provision of a method for reducing the starting time of a cutting, deseaming', or flame-machining operation by introducing a metal fuse into the pre-heat flame in such manner that it will al most instantly be raised to the fusion tempera ture, and directing an oxidizing jet onto the globule of molten metal thus formed causing the I same to oxidize, and forcing the globule of molten metal into intimate association with the work being effected; the provision of a method wherein the metal fuse is in such angular relation with the axis of the oxidizing Jet that upon melting it will be blown towards and deposited upon the surface to be affected; and the provision of a method wherein said metal fuse is so related to the pro-heat flame that it will receive the maximum heat therefrom.

Another specific object of the invention includes the provision of a method for substantially instantaneously raising the temperature of a portion of surface metal within an area of metal work to an ignition temperature by employing a relatively low pre-heat consumption and combining with the same a jet of oxidizing gas and a globule of molten metal.

Other objects will become apparent from the hereinafter described process and apparatus in light of the accompanying drawings. in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a deseaming or cutting blowpipe constructed to carry out the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational section along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a modified form of apparatus for performing the method of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a section along line 5--5 of Fig. '4;

Fig. 6 is a section along line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 7 to 11, inclusive, are diagrammatic sketches illustrating the correct positioning of the wire in the pro-heat flames and the oxygen iet;

Fig. 12 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a further modified form of apparatus for performing the method of the invention; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view along line l3-l3 of Fig. 12.

The method of this invention comprises the starting of a cutting, deseaming. or flame-machining operation by introducing an increment of a metal fuse, preferably in the form of cylindrical, flat, or twisted wire of ferrous metal, into a pro-heat flame, the intensity of which is sufflcient to continue the operation in the most cflicicnt and economical manner after the same has been started. The portion of metal wire so introduced into the pro-heat flame instantly melts and falls or is deposited onto the metal work at the point where metal removal is to begin. When the increment of wire introduced into the pre-heat flames reaches a semi-fluid state, a jet of oxidizing gas is directed onto the same thereby superheating and oxidizing the globule of molten metal formed by the wire fuse,

and forcing it onto the metal work to be affected.

The heat generated by the oxidization of the increment of hot or molten metal is readily transferred to a small area of the work beneath the same and is sufficient to raise that area of metal to the kindling temperature. Continued application of oxygen at the point where the globule is deposited, effects oxidation of the work, which may be converted into a cutting, deseaming, or flame-machining operation by moving the oxygen Jet relative to the work. Continued. operation is maintained by virtue of the inherent heat of the puddle formed by the fused metal work and the action of the pre-heat flames which are preferably of low intensity for more economical operation.

Care must be exercised in practicing the method of this invention to avoid incorrect deposition of the globule of molten metal on the work, otherwise the jet of oxidizing gas may dislodge the globule or blow it away from the place where metal removal is to begin. It has been found that the wire should be introduced into the preheat flames and the oxygen jet at such an angle that it will intersect the axial center line of the cutting oxygen streamv above the surface of the work, or before its end contacts the metal work.

Referring to Figs. '7 to 9, inclusive, the angularly-arranged blowpipe nozzle N in each figure is disclosed in combination with an oxidizable and fusible metallic fuse wire W in correct angular position relatively to the heating and oxidizing jets of the nozzle. Depending on the speciflc construction of the nozzle N, the wire can be introduced at various angles as illustrated in Figs. '7 to 9; however, in each instance it is to be noted that before the end of the metal wire contacts the work it intersects the axial center line X of the cutting oxygen jet discharging from the central oxygen passage P of the nozzle and the wire also intersects several of the preheating flames Y.

Each oxy-acetylene pre-heat flame Y consists of three distinct cones, namely, a mixing cone in which the unburned acetylene and oxygen are mixed; an inner cone surrounding the mixing cone and in which, the primary combustion of the acetylene and oxygen occurs to form carbon monoxide by the union of the carbon from the acetylene and the oxygen, and water vapor by the union of the hydrogen of the acetylene and the oxygen; and an outer mantle where complete combustion is effected. It is well known that the region of highest temperature within the pre-heat flame is at a point adjacent the tip of the inner cone. The introduction of the wire to the pre-heat flame should be at this point, provided, however, that the nozzle angle permits the introduction of the wire into the preheat flames and the oxygen jet, preferably at such an angle that the starting rod or wire will intersect the cutting oxygen Jet above the surface of the work, preferably at the axial centerline of the Jet and before the rod contacts the work. Where the nozzle angle is such that the wire cannot be inserted at the most desirable point of maximum heat and still maintain the previously-described angular relation of the wire and the oxidizing gas jet, the former should be sacrificed for the latter, since the wire may be moved along substantially three-quarters of the length of the inner cone of the pre-heating flame without effecting a noticeable change in the starting preheat time. This procedure is possible because the normal temperature range along the inner cone length is upset by the contacting wire.

With constant fuel-gas consumption, the size of the wire introduced to the prc-heat flames directly affects the starting pro-heat time. The size of the wire, however, is limited by the stability of the wire feeding equipment, i. e., its ability to introduce and hold the wire in the specified position until the operation has been started; by the oxidizing gas stream which will blow wire of too small a diameter out of line; and by the fact that wire of too small a diameter will produce an insufilcent mass of molten metal to adequately fuse a sufficiently large area of the work to begin the cut. It has been found that wires if diameters between the range of and it of an inch will, satisfactorily carry out the method with a cutting oxygen velocity of approximately 700 feet per second, an approximate 1 to 1 oxy-acetylene ratio, and a deseaming speed of approximately 45 feet per minute. Where other oxygen velocities are used and other values different than those specifically recited are employed, wires of varying diameter may of course be used.

The position of the pre-heat flames Y with reference to the wire is determined by the size of the wire. Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, the pre-heat flames Y should be arranged to either straddle or fall directly upon the wire depending on the position in which they will most effectively heat the wire.

One form of apparatus capable of effecting the hereindescribed process is disclosed in Figs.

1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. It comprises an oxyinto the pre-heating jets delivered by the nozzle N of torch T. The feeding device F is connected to, or otherwise associated with, a manuallyoperable lever L adapted to open the cutting oxygen valve on the torch T and to feed an increment of wire into the pre-heat flames of said torch. In order to direct the successive increments of wire into the pre-heat flames at the proper angle and position, a guiding device G is mounted on the torch adjacent the nozzle N. This device is adapted to guide the successive increments of wire into the pre-heat flames in such a manner that they will be instantly heated to a molten state. The guide G also positions the wire increments in the stream of oxidizing gas so that the molten globules formed therefrom are oxidized and are forced ontothe portion of metal work at a predetermined point where a metal removing operation is to begin.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, torch T comprises a handle 5 having a valve body 8 at 75 its rear end adapted to support oxygen and acetylene connections and to form passages and chambers for controlling the flow of the respective gases within the torch. An oxygen inlet 1, adapted to be controlled by a-valve 4 (Fig. 4), is attached to the body 8 and directs the incoming oxygen into chambers within the body 8, which chambers are connected to the oxygen duct 8. For controlling the flow of oxygen to the nozzle N, a valve is provided within the body 8. comprising a valve head 9 and stem l0 resiliently held in closed position by a spring H The valve 9 is operated by a lever L pivoted to the outside oi. handle 5 near its front end. A valveeoperating bell-crank i3 is pivotally mounte ;;.'on a pin l4 within the cylindrical handle 5. One arm of the bell-crank I3 is connected to the lever L by a link i 2. For a purpose to be hereinafter described, it is desirable that the lever L be moved a certain distance independently oi. the bell-crank i3, and for this reason a lost-motion connection is provided between the bell-crank I3 and the lever L. As disclosed, an elongated slot IS in the upper portion of the link I2 is adapted to cooperate with a rigidly-mounted pin l8 located at the end of one leg of the bell-crank l3.

The bell-crank I3 is provided with an abutment aligned with one end of a plunger 2|, the opposite end of which is adapted to engage the valve stem l0. Thus it is seen that the valve 9 may be unseated by depressing the lever L, and upon release of said lever, spring H will automatically re-seat valve 9. An acetylene inlet 22. controlled by a main acetylene valve 23 is likewise attached to the body 6 and controls the flow of acetylene to a mixing throat where it is mixed with oxygen bled from the oxygen inlet 1 through by-pass 28.

The specific form of torch is not essential to the operation of the invention. The structure which has been described is only intended to show the relation between the oxygen valve-operating mechanism and the wire-feeding and guiding apparatus to be described.

The wire-feeding device F is intended to feed incremental lengths of-metallic wire into the preheat flames issuing from the torch nozzle N in timed relation with the opening of the cutting oxygen valve 9. One form of apparatus capab e of feeding the wire as required is disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. and is conveniently mounted on the torch T betweenthe handle 5 and the nozzle N in position to maintain balance of the torch. .The wire-feeding device F includes a wire-supporting and guiding device- 36 comprising two spaced leg portions 31 and 38 integrally joined at their lower ends by a strip 39. The

upper end portions of the legs 31 and 38 are provided with concave surfaces. the curvature of which corresponds to the curvature of the lower pipe 29 extending between the handle 5 and the nozzle head 32. The guiding device 35 is soldered or welded to the pipe 29 and provides a convenient support and guiding means for the metallic wire. It positions the wire with respect to the feeding device F so that gripping mechanism may effectively engage and deliver incremental lengths of the wire in front of the torch nozzle N. For the purpose of preventing excessive wear between the metallic wire and the support 38, hardened'steel bushings 40 and 4| are inserted within axially aligned wire-guiding bores within the legs 31 and 38.

In accordance with the previously disclosed method, it is desirable to introduce the incremental lengths of metallic wire into the pro-heat flames and the oxidizing gas jet so as to maintain a specific relation between the wire and the flames and jet. In the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3, this has been accomplished by providing a metallic conduit 42 between the support 38 and the tip of nozzle N. The tube 42 is accurately fixed within leg 38 of the support 38 by a clamp 43. The exit of the tube 42 is accurately located with respect to the outlets oithe nozzle N by a bracket 45 fixed to and depending from the torch head 32. A hardened steel guiding bushing 41 is mounted in the-bracket 45 in such angular relation with respect to the nozzle N that it directs the incremental lengths of metallic wire into the pre-heat flames at a point adjacent the ends oi. the inner cones of such flames. The bushing 41 also directs the wire into the oxidizing jet so that it will intersect the axial centerline of said jet before the end of the wire contacts the metal work.

Feeding of incremental lengths of metallic wire past the support 38, through the tube 42, and into the pre-heat flames and oxidizing jet may be accomplished by an oscillatable gripping device. Such a device may be positioned with regard to the support so that during the clockwise portion of its oscillating movement it will grip the wire and force it along the tube 42, and will freely ride over the wire. during the counterclockwise portion of its oscillating movement.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the pivotally mounted gripping device may comprise a two part yoke 52 consisting of matched legs adapted to straddle the conduits 8, 28, 29 and 30 of torch T. The lower portion of the yoke 52 extends below and,around the wire support and'guiding device 35. A pivotal mounting 48 forthe yoke 52 is soldered or welded to the top of the conduits 8 and 30 and it is likewise straddled by the yoke 52, supporting the same for pivotal movement on a pin 5|. effecting the incremental feeding of the metallic wire during the oscillation of the yoke 52, a gripping disc 54 is positioned within the yoke and is provided with a central aperture of slightly greater diameter than that of the wire. The disc 54 is of hardened steel construction, and the aperture therein is countersunk in only one surface so that a slight tilting movement of the disc at the beginning of the clockwise oscillation of the yoke 52 will cause the same to seize the wire and advance it toward the nozzle N. During the counter-clockwise portion of the oscillation, the countersunk aperture will permit the gripping disc 54 to freely ride over the wire.

Inasmuch as it is desirable for the gripping disc 54 to tilt slightly during its actuation, it is pivotally mounted on pins 56 within recesses 55 in opposed faces of the legs of the yoke member 52. Since the recesses 55 are provided with shoulders 50 adapted to contact the edges of the gripping disc 54 during the counter-clockwise portion of the oscillating movement of the yoke 52, they permit the disc to tilt in only one direction from thelongitudinal axis of the yoke 52. These shoulders 50, therefore, aid in returning the disc to its initial position by maintaining it in position to freely slide over the wire. At the beginning of the clockwise portion of the oscillating movement of yoke 52, positive gripping of the wire by disc 54 will be insured if the disc is tilted slightly. This tilting movement of disc 54 may be eii'ected if its lower edge is frictionally engaged by a stationary member. Positive fric- For tional engagement of the lower edge of disc at with a stationary member may be insured by providing a leaf spring 5i riveted to the top surface of the element 39, and so positioned that a slightly bowed portion thereof frictionally engages the lower edge of the disc 56 at the beginning of the clockwise portion of the oscillating movement of the yoke 52.

For the purpose of preventing excessive counter-clockwise pivotal movement of the gripping disc 54 about its pivot 56, when the device is not threaded with wire, a plate a9 is attached to the rear edges of the legs of yoke 52 in such mannor that it overlies the recesses 55 formed in these legs. The plate 49, of course, is provided with an opening sufficient to prevent interference with the passage of the wire through the gripping disc Bil.

The yoke 52 may be oscillated by any manually operable means, and in the preferred embodiment I of the invention as disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, it is advantageous to effect this oscillation in timed relation with the operation of the cutting oxygen valve ii. For this reason, operating lever L has been constructed so that its movement will be magnified, and it is arranged so that its movement will impart oscillations of sufiicient magnitude to the yoke 52. The slot and pin connection It, it between the lever 63 and the link l2 permits sufficient movement of the lever L to elfect the desired. oscillation of yoke 52, to

feed an increment of wire into the preheat flameswithout, however, opening valve The valve operating motion of lever L may be transmitted to the oscillatable yoke 52 by means of a rigid link 58which has its one end pivotally connected to a boss 5' welded to the forward portion of the lever L, and its other end pivotally attached to the top portion of the yoke 52. Thus it is seen that by depressing the lever L, feeding device F will function to feed the desired increment of wire into the pre-heat flames, and upon completion of the depressing act, aslight continued operation of the feeding device and the operation of valve 9 will be effected. This slight additional feeding of wire into the preheat flames and oxygen jet does not affect the process; the wire is melted and blown away as waste material. A compression spring 60 is attached to the top portion of yoke 52 and also to a portion of the torch T ahead of the feeding device F for returning the feeding device, the oscillatable yoke 52, and the lever L to their initial positions, upon release of the latter.

Wire of short lengths, or wire from a reel which may be conveniently strapped to the operators back can be fed along the torch T through the bushing 40, the aperture in gripping disc 5%, the bushing M, the tube 42, and the guiding bushing 4'5, to a correct position in front of the outlets of nozzle N.

A modified form of the apparatus embodying the principles of this invention is disclosed in Figs. 4 to 6. It includes a modified wire-feeding device in combination-with the form of torch as disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3.

Referring specifically to Figs. 4 and 5, the torch T is provided near its forward end with'a combined feeding and guiding device F and G. The combined feeding and guiding device extends downwardly along the torch nozzle N and in such relation with said nozzle that wire may be guided and incrementally fed into the pre-heat flames and the oxygen jet in the manner disclosed in connection with the previously described method and the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3.

The modified form 'of the apparatus shown in Figs. 4 to 6 may or may not be operated in timed relation with the operation of the oxygen valve lever L. As shown, a t-iller wire I extends from the feeding device F to a trigger element R fastened to the handle 5 of torch T. The location of the trigger on handle 5 is adjacent to but independent of the lever L so that it may be conveniently manipulated by the operator's hand which holds the torch.

The combined feeding and guiding device F and G is mounted within a housing H, which is supported by a split clamp iii tightly fitting around the conduits 8, 2t, 2t and 3d of torch T. The housing 72 comprises two sheet metal portions 13 and M which are integrally joined at their lower ends by overlapping portions and screws 15. The upper extremities of the portions l3 and M are securely fastened to the clamp H3 by a connection including elongated slots which permit slight angular adjustment of the housing 52.

One leg 13 of the housing 12 is provided with lips 16 which form with the leg M a chamber within which the gripping mechanism may be located, and to which the guiding mechanism may be attached. A guiding boss Tl of hardened steel for guiding the metallic wire through the exit end of housing i2 is welded or soldered to the one lip of leg l3, and is provided with a bore lb of slightly larger diameter than that of the metallic wire which is adapted to be fed therethrough. This boss is also provided with a bore l9 and a counter bore 80 for receiving part of the gripping mechanism to be hereinafter described. Another guiding boss Bl is attached to the lip of leg It which forms the entrance to housing l2, and it is likewise formed of hardened wear-resisting steel.

The gripping and propelling means of both the first and second forms of the invention are generlcally the same, in that each depends upon the disc adapted to seize the wire during the clockwise portion of its oscillation and to release and freely slide over the wire during the counterclockwise portion of its oscillation. The oscillatable element of the modified apparatus shown in Figs. 4 to 6 takes the form of a lever 9| mounted at the central portion of housing [2 by a pivot shaft 92. The lower end of lever Si is pivoted to a hardened steel gripping disc 93, and the upper end of lever B! is attached to the tiller wire Hill which is adapted to transmit oscillatory movement to said lever. For the purpose of compensating for the angularity of lever 5| during oscillation, pivotal shaft 92 is provided with a central opening adapted to slidingly engage and support lever 9| thereby permitting relative movement between the lever and its pivotal support.

The wire gripping disc 93 is similar to the corresponding gripper 54 of the modification disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3 in that it is provided with an aperture 94 countersunk only in one face of the disc for permitting free movement of the disc over the wire in one direction of its movement and effecting gripping of the wire during its movement in the opposite direction. The disc 93, however, differs from gripper 54 in that a second aperture 95 is provided which is'countersunk at each face of the disc. The latter aperture forms a cross-head connection with a guidescapee ing bolt 86 rigidly mounted within housing I2 by the screw threads of bore 16 within boss 11.

Clockwise motion is imparted to the lever 8| by manually operable means, and counter-clockwise motion is imparted to said lever by a coiled compression spring 8'! encircling bolt 86, one end of which is received within counter bore 80 of boss I1, the other end of which abuts against gripping disc 83.

Oscillation of lever 8| may be effected by manually operable means independent of the operation of the main oxygen valve 8. In the modifled form of the invention, a trigger R is mounted on the handle 5 of torch T 'in position relative to the lever L so that it may be operated at will. The tiller wire I08 connects the trigger with one end of the oscillatable lever SI.

Referring to Fig. 6, a split-clamp IOI is mounted in fixed relation about handle 5 by fastening means I02. The clamp IIII is provided with a protruding boss I03 upon which is mounted a stud I04. The stud supports the trigger R and is provided with a cotter pin for maintaining the trigger thereon. The trigger comprises a circular disc having a tangentially arranged finger operating lever I08. I vided with a groove I05 in which the tiller wire is adapted to be wrapped. A pin I06, adjacent one end of the groove I05, anchors the tiller wire to the trigger element.

A further modified form of the apparatus embodying the principles of this invention is disclosed in Figs. 12 and 13. It includes still another form of wire-feeding device in combination with a somewhat diiferent form of cutting torch from that. disclosed in Figs. 1 and 4.

Referring specifically to Figs. 12 and 13, torch T comprises a handle H0 having a body H2 at its rear end adapted to support oxygen and acetylene connections and to form passages and chambers for controlling the flow of the respective gases within the torch. An oxygen inlet H4 adapted to be controlled by a valve H5 is attached to the body H2 and directs the incoming oxygen into chambers within the body H2 and through the oxygen duct H8. For controlling the flow of oxygen through the torch T, an additional spring-closed valve (not shown) is provided in the body portion II 2, including a valve-stem H6 extending outside of said body. Valve-stem H6 is adapted to be operated by hand lever L pivoted intermediate its ends to the body portion H2. The end of'lever L adjacent to the valve-stem I I6 is provided with a head I20 having an under-cut recess I 22 adapted to provide a lost motion connection between the end of stem H6 and the head I20, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The opposite end of lever L is provided with a slidable hook I24 adapted to pass within an opening I26 formed in the handle I I0 and to engage the inner wall thereof. An acetylene inlet I28 adapted to be controlled by a valve I30 is also connected to the body portion H2, and it conducts acetylene to.

passages and chambers within the torch T where it is mixed with oxygen to form a combustible mixture which passes through the conduit I32. The conduits I I8 and I32 are adapted to be connected with a head I34, and in the present instance it is desirable to offset the handle H0 relative to the head I34 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The conduits I32 and H8 are therefore bent upwardly at a angle from the horizontal, and after the desired offset has been accomplished they are again bent to a The periphery of the disc is prowhoriaontal position and connected with the head I84. vThe nozzle N is adapted to be connected with the head I84, and to direct pre-heating Jets and an oxidizing stream from its end.

Referring to Fig. 12, the torch T is provided with a combined feeding and guiding device F" and G" at its forward end. The combined feeding and guiding device extends downwardly along the torch nozzle N in a somewhat similar manner to that disclosed in Fig. 4, and in such relation with said nozzle that wire may be guided and incrementally fed into the pre-heat flames and the oxygen jet in the manner disclosed in connection with the previously described method.

The feeding and guiding device F and G" comprises a two piece housing I38 rigidly secured to and depending from 9. lug I30 secured to the head I34. The housing I30 is adapted to enclose and support the wire feeding and guiding mechanism. A feeding body I40 is adapted to be secured to the lower extremity of the housing I38, and it is provided with guides H42 and I44 at the entering and exit ends of said body. Each of the guides I42 and I44 are provided with countersunk portions adapted to facilitate the passage of the wire through said body I40.

The incremental feeding of the wire into the pre-heat and oxygen streams of the torch T is effected by an incremental rotary movement of a pair of friction wheels between which the wire W is fed. The lower friction wheel M5 is journalled in an adjusting link I48 pivoted on a pin I49 within the body portion I40. The end of link I48 opposite to that which is pivoted, is provided with an aperture adapted to cooperate with an adjusting pin I50 adjustably secured in the bottom portion of the body I40. A compresslon spring I52 encircles the adjusting pin I50 and resiliently urges the adjusting link I48 clockwise about its pivot. A cooperating friction wheel I54 is mounted on a shaft I56 extending between the sides of the housing I38. Both the wheels I46 and I54 are vertically aligned, and their peripheral surfaces are grooved and knurled so that they will effectively grip the wire W and feed it toward the nozzle N when the wheels are rotated.

Incremental rotary movement of the gripping wheels I54 and I48 is effected by the motion of hand lever L. In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. 12 and 13, this has been accomplished by providing a rack and pawl mechanism adapted to be actuated by a linkage connected to the lever L. The friction wheel I54 is provided with a ratchet I58 on each side thereof. A pivot shaft I60 extending between the sides of housing I38 and having a central aperture I62, is adapted to support a ratchet-pawl I64. The aperture I62 and the pawl I64 form across-head bearing and compensate for the angularity due to the pivoting of pawl I64 about pivot I60. The lower extremity of the pawl I64 is provided with a bifurcated portion I65 adapted to straddle the friction wheel I54 and to engage the teeth on ratchets I58. A collar I66 is fixed to the upper extremity of the shaft I64 and is adapted to limit its downward sliding motion. Another collar I68 is slidingly mounted on the shaft I64 below the pivot shaft I60, and it cooperates with another collar IIII and a spring I12 positioned between the two for resiliently urgingthe pawl I64 into engagement with the ratchet teeth of ratchets I56, and still permitting sliding of said pawl relative to its pivot I60 during its oscillatory movement. A drawbar H4 is bell-crank lever H6. The other arm of the bell- I crank lever is connected with a link B18 extending through the side wall of the handle lid and in spaced relation to the vertically aligned conduits I32 and lit. The link MB is adapted to be connected to one side of the hand lever L. In order to insure the return of pawl its to its initial position, and also to take up the lost motion within the connections between elements I20 and H6, 2. spring Mill is connected between the bell-crank lever Hi6 and the handle H0.

The lost motion connection between the stem H6 and the head 120 permits feeding the desired length of the wire into the pre-heat flames during the initial movement of hand lever L without the oxygen stream being turned on, and continued operation of lever L turns on the oxygen jet. This arrangement avoids the slight additional feeding of wire into the pre-heat flames, characteristic of the device shown in Fig. 1, when the oxygen jet is turned on.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that we have provided a speedier and more economical method of performing a cutting, deseaming, flame-machining or similar operation on a ferrous metal body. Preferably, the, heating medium or flame used is of insuflicient heating intensity to quickly heat to its oxygen ignition temperature that area on the surface of the metal body where the operation is to begin but such intensity is suflicient to continue the operation satisfactorily after the same has been started. The small amount of ferrous metal, such as a short length of wire fusible by the heating medium and combustible in oxygen, is introduced into the heating flame only during starting and, when said wire has been fused, the stream of oxygen is turned on and oxidizes such fused metal in its path and adjacent the pre-heated area on the body. Such oxidation of said wire liberates enough additional heat adjacent said area, and sumciently supplements the heat already applied by said flame to said area, to very quickly raise to its oxygen ignition temperature at least that part of said area against which the oxygen stream is directed, thus considerably accelerating the starting of the operation. To complete the operation, the heating flame and the adjoining oxygen stream are immediately moved in unison relatively to the metal body and substantially parallel to the surface thereof to direct said flame and said stream against successive areas of said surface without, however, changing the intensity of the heating flame and without introducing additional wire into said flame during such relative movement.

While the principles of the invention have been illustrated in connection with a deseaming torch for conditioning surfaces of oxidizable steel bodies, it is to be understood that they may be applied with equal facility to a cutting torch for severing such steel bodies or to a machine embodying a bank of flame-machining nozzles for conditioning surfaces of such steel bodies.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of performing a cutting, deseaming, flame-machining or similar operation along a surface of an oxidizable steel body which comits ignition temperature by said flame, to oxidize such introduced metal adjacent said area so that the heat liberated by such oxidation supplements the heat applied to said area by said flame and quickly raises to an ignition temperature at least the part of said area against which said jet isdirected; and thereupon moving said flame and said jet in unison relatively to said body and in a direction substantially parallel to said surface while directing both said flame and said jet against successive areas of said surface.

2. A method of performing a cutting, deseaming, flame-machining or similar operation along a surface of an oxidizable steel body which comprises directing a heating flame against an area on said surface at a point where said operation is to begin, to heat said area; introducing metal, fusible by said flame and combustible in oxygen, into said flame at a point adjacent such heated area; said fusible and combustible metal being a portion of a ferrous metal wire; directing a jet of oxidizing gas against a part of said heated area and also against such fusible and combustible metal, after the latter has been raised to at least its ignition temperature by said flame, to oxidize such introduced metal adjacent said area so that the heat liberated by such oxidation supplements the heat applied to said area by said flame and quickly raises to an ignition temperature at least the part of said area against which said jet is directed; said oxidizing gas being oxygen; said heating flame at the beginning of and throughout said operation, being of insuflicient intensity by itself to quickly raise to an ignition temperature the part of said area against which such oxygen jet is directed; and the heat liberated by the oxidation of said portion of wire being sufficient to supplement the heat applied to said area by said flame at the beginning of said operation to very quickly raise to an ignition temperature said part of said area against which said oxygen jet is directed, and thereupon moving said flame and said jet in unison relatively to said body and in a direction substantially parallel to said surface while directing both said flame and said jet against successive areas of said surface.

3. A method of performing a cutting, deseaming, flame-machining or similar operation on an oxidizable steel body which comprises directing a heating medium against an area of the surface of said body at a point where said operation is to begin, to heat said area; said heating medium being of insufficient intensity to quickly heat said area to its oxygen ignition temperature; melting a small amount of metal, combustible in oxygen,

ing said stream of oxidizing gas relatively to said body and in a direction substantially parallel to 'oxidizable steel body which comprises directing a heating flame against an area of the surface 'of said body at a point wheresaid operation is to begin, to heat said area; melting a small amount of metal, combustible in oxygen, and depositing such molten metal onto such heated area. said small amoimt of metal being a portion of a ferrous metal wire; directing a stream of oxidizing gas against a portion of said heated area and also against such deposited metal to oxidize the latter and thereby sufliciently supplement the heat applied by said heating flame to said area to quickly raise at least said portion of said area to its ignition temperature; and thereupon moving said heating flame and said stream of oxidizing gas in unison relatively to said body and in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of said body, said portion of wire being introduced into and melted by said flame only during the beginning of said operation.

5. A method of performing a cutting, deseaming, flame-machining or similar operation on an oxidizable steel body as claimed in claim 3, in which said stream of oxidizing gas is an oxygen jet adjoining said flame; said small amount of metal is a portion of a ferrous metal wire; said portion of wire is introduced into and melted by said flame above said surface and prior to such relative movement; and said oxygen jet impinges against at least some of such molten metal above said surface.

6. A method of performing a cutting, deceaming, flame-machining or similar operation on an oxidizable steel body which comprises directing a heating medium against an area of the surface of said body where said operation is to begin, said heating medium being of insufllcient intensity to quickly heat said area to its oxygen ignition temperature; feeding into said medium adjacent said area so heated, only a small quantity of ferrous metal fusible by said medium and combustible in oxygen; discontinuing the feeding of such fusible and combustible metal after said small quantity has been fed into said medium; immediately after such small quantity of metal has been fused by said medium, directing a stream of oxidizing gas against such heated area and also against such fused metal to oxidize the latter adjacent said area and thereby liberate enough additional heat, supplementing the heat applied by said heating medium, to quickly raise to its ignition temperature at least that part of said area against which said stream of oxidizing gas is directed; and thereupon moving said heating medium and such oxidizing gas stream in'unison relatively to said body without feeding fusible and combustible metal into said medium or said stream during such relative movement.

7. A method of performing a cutting, deseaming, flame-machining or similar operation along a surface of an oxidizable steel body which comprises directing a gaseous heating flame against an area of said surface at a point where said operation is to begin, .said flame being only of suflicient intensity .to heat said area to a tern-.- perature lower than its oxygen ignition temperature; introducing, into said flame adjacent said' area, a short length of ferrous metal fusibleby 8 said flame and combustible in oxygen; after said short length of metal has been fused by said flame, directing a jet of oxygen against such heated area and also against such fused metal to oxidize the latter adjacent said area and there- 10 by liberate enough additional heat, supplementing the heat applied to said area by said flame,

to raise to its oxygen ignition temperature at least that part of said area against which said oxygen jet is directed; and thereupon moving said flame and said Jet in unison relatively to said body and in a direction substantially parallel to said surface. s;

8. A method of performing a cutting, deseaming, flame machining, or similar operation on an oxidizable steel body, which comprises directing a heating flame against an area of a surface ofsaid body at a place where said operation is to begin; heating to at least its ignition temperature a small quantity of metal that is combustible in an oxidizing gas and depositing such combustible metal, so heated, adjacent to such heated area; directing a stream of oxidizing gas against a portion of said heated area and also against such heated combustible metal to burn the latter adjacent said area and thereby supplement the heat applied to said area by said heating flame, to quickly raise at least a portion of said area to its ignition temperature; and thereupon moving said heating flame and said stream of oxidizing gas 85 in unison relatively to said-body and in a direction substantially parallel to said surface of said y.

9. A method as defined in claim 8 in which said small quantity of combustible metal is heated to its ignition temperature and deposited on said heated area only before starting the movement of the flame and the stream of oxidizing in unison relatively to said body, and in a direction substantially parallel to said surface of the body.

' 10. A method of performing a cutting, deseaming, flame-machining, or similar operation on an oxidizable steel body, which comprises directing a heating flame against an area of the surface of said body at a place where said operation is to begin; heating to at least its ignition temperature a. small quantity of metal that is combustible in an oxidizing gas and depositing such combustible metal, so heated, adjacent to such heated area, said small quantity of metal being a-Bll portion of a wire; directing a stream of oxidizing gas against a portion of said heated area and also against such heated combustible metal to burn the latter adjacent said area and thereby supplement the heat applied to said area by said heating flame, to quickly raise at least a portion of said area to its ignition temperature; and thereupon moving said heating flame and said stream of oxidizing gas in'unison relatively to said body and in a direction substantially paral- O lei to the surface of said body. 1

WIILIAM BRYCE NICHOLSON. EVEREI'I' P. JONES.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

June 25, 1914.0. WIILIAH BRYCE NICHOIBON, ET AL.

Q It ishereby certified that error appears inthe printed specific'ation of theabove numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, sec- 0nd column, line 51, for "it" read --of--; page I, second column, line 14.5, claim 9, aifter "oxidizing" insert the word --gas-- and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with this correction therein'that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oifice.

Signed and sealed this 15121 day of August, A. D.- 191m.

Henry Van Arsdal e, (Seal) Acting Conmissioner of Patents.

'GERTIFICATE or QO'RRECTION- Patent No. 2,205,890.

June 25, 191m.- WIILIAH'BRYCE NIcnozsoN, ET AL.

I It ishereby. certified that error appears in the printed specific'ation of theabove numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, second colunin, line 51, for "if" read. -of--; page 7 second column, line 15, claim 9, after "oxidizing" insert the word "gasand that the said Letiiers Patent should be read with this correction thereinthat the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 15th day of August, A. 1). 191m.

Henry Van Arsdal e, (Seal) Acting 'Conmis si oner of Patent s. 

